Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Cup Bars

These are SO delicious! Who doesn't love sweet and salty? These are perfect for birthdays, the holidays, or anyday! Top with vanilla ice cream and you'll be in dessert heaven!

 

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup dark brown sugar

¾ cup white sugar

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup crushed pretzels

12 chewy caramels, unwrapped

1½ Tbsp heavy cream

3 cups REESES minis, unwrapped and sliced vertically.

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Mix together butter, sugars, and vanilla (with stand mixer or electric hand mixer) until light and creamy.
   
3. Mix in eggs one at a time.
   
4. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.
   
5. Add in flour by thirds, barely mixing in between.
   
6. Lightly spray the bottom of a 9X9 baking pan with PAM butter spray.
   
7. Spread half of dough into the bottom of pan.
   
8. Put caramels and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in microwave for about 1 min. Stir until mixed and creamy.
   
9. Spread pretzels and Reeses peanut butter cups on top of dough.
   
10. Drizzle caramel over pretzels and Reeses.
    
11. Spread remaining dough over pretzels, Reeses, and caramel.
    
12. Bake for 25 min or until golden brown on top.
    
13. Let cool for about 10 min. before cutting.
    

Chicken, Sausage, Zucchini Pasta

I love this pasta! It's so easy, so delicious, and a great way to sneak in your veggies!

Ingredients:

16oz box Conchiglie (or any large shell or Penne) pasta

2 links Venison or Italian sausage, sliced and halved

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 & 1/2 (14.5 ounce) cans tomato sauce

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives

3 cups fresh sliced mushrooms

2 large zucchinis ( 4 small ones), thickly sliced and halved

Parmesan Cheese to taste

 

Directions:

1. Boil water for pasta
2. Heat oil over med-high heat in a large 4 qt skillet
3. Add sausage and cook for 5 min.
4. Add onion, green pepper, garlic, chicken, and seasonings. Sautee for 7 min.
   
5. Add tomatoes, sauce, paste, mushrooms, olives, and zucchini and simmer over med-low heat for 20 min.
   
6. While the sauce mixture simmers, add noodles to boiling water and cook uncovered for about 12 min., stirring occasionally.
   
7. Drain noodles, place in large bowl and pour sauce mixture over noodles. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
   
8.  Serve with garlic bread.